The Florida International Medical Expo (FIME) hosted its 32nd edition live, in-person, from June 21-23, 2023, connecting dealers, distributors, and manufacturers with buyers, procurement agents, and healthcare professionals from around the globe. The event brought together healthcare and medical industry professionals from 116 countries and gave an insight into medical industry updates and the newest in innovation and technology. We spoke to a few exhibitors during the show to learn more about their experience at FIME. Excerpts:

Specialised products

Cortis is an emerging medtech start-up from India that has a market presence already in 10 countries and is planning to access 40 countries over the next two years across the world. At the show, Cortis exhibited its advanced surgery and wound care products.

Raja AP, CEO of Cortis, said, “Our products are being used by emergency healthcare teams and surgeons. We specialise in products that are used in trauma and surgeries. The advanced wound care products are positioned to support professionals – ambulances to the emergency department to the operation theatre.”

Raja AP, CEO of Cortis

The CEO also shared that Latin America is significant for the company at the moment because Cortis has a strategy with more focus on Asia and Latin America.

He added: “We are in touch with over 10 prospective partners across Latin America, and our goal is to partner and enter 10 countries in Latin America. We are planning to have regional managers and marketing professionals in the region, as more products are under regulatory approval process across the region.”

Related: Health tech innovation in the spotlight as FIME 2023 opens doors

Creating a niche

India’s MRK Healthcare was exhibiting at FIME for the first time and showcased their latest surgical gloves. The company exports to 80-plus countries and has received the 510 K certification for its gloves. It manufactures latex surgical gloves and specialises in speciality gloves such as orthopaedic microsurgery double pair gloves. “We want to create a niche in the market because you cannot have one glove which fits all, as different surgeons have different requirements,” said Gautam Dalal, VP-International Business, MRK Healthcare Pvt Ltd.

Gautam Dalal, VP-International Business, MRK Healthcare Pvt Ltd

He added: “We are currently in the process of putting up new production lines, which will be operational by the end of the year. So, that's why we thought that it's the right time to enter newer markets such as the US and Latin America, as we are already present in Europe, Asia and Africa. Being at FIME has been a great experience to understand how to enter the market.”

At the forefront of innovation

Healthium, one of the largest manufacturers of sutures in India and the world, was present at the show and focused on three categories – wound closure, arthroscopy and antibacterial range of products. Anish Bafna, Chief Executive Officer, Healthium, emphasised that the company is focused on the operation theatre and is working towards making the surgeon's life easy by giving them access to high-quality products.

He said: “At FIME, we highlighted all our products linked to wound closure. We are the largest manufacturer of suture needles by volume in the world, meaning that one in five surgeries uses our product.

“Additionally, we have created our range of arthroscopic implants and instruments over the last five years. Our initial market was India, but we have now started getting US FDA approvals for our products. By the end of the year, we expect US FDA and EU MDR registrations. We have about 64 patents filed for and granted in this line of business that we've created.”

Anish Bafna, Chief Executive Officer, Healthium

The third range showcased was the company’s antibacterial range of products. “What is unique is that we have created our wound management products, which are for post surgeries, diabetic foot ulcers, that we expect is going to play a huge role in the post-surgical recuperation of the patient,” Bafna added.

When asked about how important the Latin American market is for the company, he shared that Healthium has found a lot of positive responses for its products in the region, and the market appreciates innovation.

He concluded: “This was our second year at FIME. We received a fantastic response in the last edition, so this year, we have increased the size of our presence here and doubled the size of our booth. We have a team of over 12 who have been having exciting discussions with the visitors. We have been delighted with the responses we have received so far from the diverse customer base we are getting to connect with in this part of the world, thanks to FIME!”

Focus on patient safety

Sechrist, a world leader in hyperbaric and respiratory medicine, was present at the show to display its low profile patient transport stretcher.

Kudzai Seremwe from Sechrist Industries Inc. said: “A low profile stretcher is important because it can help limit the number of falls for patients, so it's easier for a person to get on and off. It is sturdy and can carry up to about 710 pounds. The stretcher has four levers, so regardless of the side the technician or the nurse is on, they can access it easily. Our R&D team is also currently working on other stretcher products.

Kudzai Seremwe with a colleague

“We met a lot of distributors, resellers and people that are genuinely interested in our product at FIME. The event allowed us to network and learn about what's new in the medical field. By just walking around, we could see the diversity around the venue. That experience was eye-opening because from a marketing perspective, we understood who we are communicating with and from a product point of view, we understood the needs of the people and what they actually want.”

Access to manufacturers

Liberty Med Supplies Private Limited exhibited its full range of gloves, including surgical, nitrile and industrial gloves. Manoj Zacharias, VP, Business Development at Liberty Management Group Ltd, shared: “We are the direct manufacturer of the gloves, which sets us apart. We ask anybody who wants to work with us to visit our manufacturing facility in Kerala, India.

Liberty Med Supplies Private Limited team

“The Latin American region is a critical market for us, particularly after the pandemic, and we work closely with our partners here to deliver products on time.”

Benadict Boby Sebastian, CEO, Liberty Med Supplies Pvt., added: “FIME is a must-visit show as it provides an opportunity for visitors to connect with the global healthcare community. It benefits those companies looking to introduce a new product or expand.”

Tapping new markets

Romsons International, a 70-year-old company from India, showcased its range of medical disposable products, covering anaesthesia, surgery, and hygiene, among others. The company also recently started its orthopaedic range, offering collars and lumbar support belts.

Saourabh Khanna, Director, Romsons International, said: “Romsons has 65 per cent of the domestic market share, and we export our products to more than 80 countries.

Saourabh Khanna, Director, Romsons International

“We have been a regular exhibitor at FIME. The Latin American market is important as we get good volumes from here. We exhibit at FIME to meet our existing customers and explore the possibility of tapping the markets where we are not selling currently.”

Spotlight on sports medicine

MJ Surgical presented its range of exclusive orthopaedic implant products at the show. The company specialises in sports medicines, spinal implants, interlocking nails and screws, among other products.

Nirav Balochiya, Director, MJ Surgical, said: “We are getting a good response for our sports medicine products in Latin America. We had a good experience at FIME and got the chance to meet customers from the region. We will soon be launching new products in the field of sports medicine.”

Nirav Balochiya, Director, MJ Surgical

Related: FIME 2023 takes the lead in giving back to the community

Zooming in on R&D

Lakshmi Life Sciences works closely with the R&D of various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), who send the company information about the product that needs to be developed.

G. Venkat Saravanan, Sr. General Manager, Business Unit Head, Lakshmi Life Sciences Private Limited, explained: “We then develop the prototypes and validate them. There are several stages of improvement in the design and resubmission of samples. The process goes along until the product gets commercialised. From end to end, we work with the OEM's R&D and then convert that into a product for a low-volume or serial production stage.

G. Venkat Saravanan, Sr. General Manager, Business Unit Head, Lakshmi Life Sciences Private Limited

When asked about the importance of the Latin American market for the company, Saravanan said: “A lot of innovations in the medical field come from the American continent. The government funding in the region gives us a lot of opportunity for a company like ours to invest in the technologies to support the developments and turn them around quickly. FIME was a good opportunity for us to interact and showcase our presence in the region.”

Meeting growing demand

Egypt-based Lewis L&P, one of the largest PPE producers in the Middle East and Africa, displayed several products of nonwoven medical clothing, ranging from gowns, coveralls, head caps, bedsheets, pillow sheets, to surgical masks and its line of gloves, syringes, needles, blood bags, urine bags, cannulas, etc.

Michael Naroz, Executive Director, Lewis L&P, said: “We export to many countries, and our turnover is nearly over US$15 million per year. We are growing and will continue to grow and are looking to expand to different countries in the Americas. The needs for medical supplies and consumables are always in demand in a populated region like Latin America and their needs of medical consumables. Therefore, we foresee strong potential in the region.

Michael Naroz, Executive Director, Lewis L&P

“This was our second year exhibiting at FIME, and we will continue participating. The event provides a good opportunity for us to do business and market our products along with other companies. This year, many visitors came to our stand to enquire about our products, which was very exciting.”

Unique solutions

At the J.D. Honigberg International stand, visitors were able to get a closer look at the battery-operated TransMotion stretcher chair, which is a complete chair and stretcher at the same time. The chair can be used for various types of configurations, for example, eye surgery or general surgery. Its height can be adjusted according to what is comfortable for the physician taking care of the patient.

Mark Forcier, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, J.D. Honigberg International, Inc., shared: “We have been exhibiting at FIME for about 20 years. This year, it was a great experience as more and more people are coming back to live events. We saw many people from the Caribbean and Central America come to our stands. The event had a mix of existing distributors who came to see what was new and distributors who wanted to discover how to enter new markets.”

Mark Forcier, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, J.D. Honigberg International, Inc.

Expanding horizons

Ortotecsa put the spotlight on its range of FDA-approved rehabilitation products at the show. Eyad Al-Gawahmed, Commercial Director, Ortotecsa, shared that receiving the FDA certification has helped people consider the company’s product competitive to many American products.

Eyad Al-Gawahmed, Commercial Director, Ortotecsa

He said: “FIME is a great place for us to be as we can hear directly from customers about what they are looking for and what prices they are concerned about. This year, the demand was more than what I was expecting. I met people from countries such as Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala. We even met with some distributors from markets we haven’t distributed before.”

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Back to Management

PureHealth, an Abu Dhabi-based holding company and one of the largest healthcare platforms in the Middle East, has signed an agreement to acquire Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest independent operators of hospitals, in a deal valued at US$1.2 billion.

The acquisition of Circle Health Group is PureHealth’s first entry into the UK. Patients in the UAE and the UK will benefit from the acquisition through the diversity of choice in healthcare provision, expanded network of medical professionals and expertise combined with knowledge sharing that will be developed.

Related: UAE positions itself as a progressive, world-class medical hub

Circle Health Group offers the UK’s largest national network of private hospitals. It also provides innovative neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation services and pathway management services and is the first European healthcare provider to enter the Chinese market. In 2019, Centene Corporation, a leading US healthcare enterprise and Fortune 500 company invested in Circle Health Group and acquired the remaining equity interests in July 2021.

As part of the acquisition, PureHealth will gain 100 per cent of Circle Health Group’s portfolio, which includes specialities such as Orthopaedics, Oncology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery and General Surgery, as well as the new state-of-the-art hospitals that Circle Health Group has recently focused on building, including the UK’s first purpose-built rehabilitation hospital.

Related: Dubai: A thriving healthcare business destination

Farhan Malik, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth and Centene Corporation’s Senior Advisor, Brent Layton and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Beau Garverick, attended a signing ceremony held in London to formalise the acquisition.

Malik said: “We are delighted to welcome Circle Health Group into the PureHealth family. This acquisition marks an important milestone in our journey towards creating a global healthcare network that revolutionises patient care. Our mission at PureHealth is to drive scientific innovation to unlock longevity and greater quality of life for humankind. Through integrating the expertise of both organisations, we positively impact the lives of patients globally. PureHealth is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the improvement of healthcare systems and access to world-class medical services in the UAE and beyond.”

The acquisition forms part of PureHealth’s global expansion programme, which includes acquisitions previously completed in the US, as well as entry into other international markets.

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Back to Management

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve over time and become unresponsive to medications that were once effective in treating those infections. This poses significant challenges in disease management, increasing the risk of disease transmission, severe illness, and even mortality.  

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMR continues to be one of the top 10 global health concerns facing humanity, resulting in approximately 4.95 million deaths in 2019. A threat to the global economy is also predicted with AMR likely to impact international trade, healthcare costs and productivity. In the absence of preventive measures, AMR could cost the world’s economy US$100 trillion by 2050. 

There are several factors contributing to the rise in AMR. Antimicrobials are frequently employed in agriculture to enhance growth and prevent disease in livestock, according to Abdulrazaq S. Al-Jazari, Medical/Critical Pharmacy Department, division of pharmacy services at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  

Related: Addressing antimicrobial resistance through One Health

However, this practice could lead to the development of resistant bacteria which can then spread to humans via the food chain. Inadequate infection prevention and control measures including improper hand hygiene, delay in administrating mandatory vaccinations and not caring for open wounds could lead to transmission and mutation of bacteria. Environmental factors also contribute to the rise, especially as they cause the spread of microbes from animals to humans through contaminated water or food.  

Certain bacteria possess inherent resistance to antimicrobials and can transfer their resistance genes to other bacteria, further aggravating the problem. “Bacteria is known to acquire resistance genes through horizontal gene transfer, where genes are exchanged between bacteria, or though mutation, which involves changed in the bacteria’s DNA. When bacteria acquire resistance genes, they become resistant to antimicrobials making infections caused by these bacteria more challenging to treat,” says Al-Jazari.  

Jay Purdy, Vice President and Therapeutic Area Lead Anti-infectives, Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer, strongly believes that the best antibiotics are the ones you do not need. The use of antibiotics promotes the growth of resistant bacteria in an individual’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract.  

Once the medication is administered, sensitive bacteria die off, leaving behind resistant ones that multiply and take over the GI tract. This disrupts the balance of bacteria in the gut leading to the development of bacteria such as C. difficile, which normally resides in the GI tract without causing trouble but can take over and cause difficult-to-treat gastrointestinal problems including diarrhoea.  

Physicians could benefit from using surveillance strategies and diagnostic testing that could help identify the pathogen that causes the infection. Once identified, the patient can be administered the right antibiotic that could help reduce antibacterial resistance and stop the infection.  

To address the crisis of AMR, Pfizer has developed four basic pillars. These include developing new antibiotics and vaccines that serve as a significant tool to prevent infections and therefore decrease the use of anti-infective drugs. Regional and global surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns to assess the nature and scope of the problems and the effectiveness of their efforts to combat them.  

Related: Antimicrobial resistance: A global threat we can’t ignore

 Incorporating antimicrobial stewardship programmes to help reduce the spread of AMR by applying greater oversight of antibiotic usage and enabling more rational and judicious prescribing practices. The fourth pillar involves incentivising and introducing novel business models to support the development of additional anti-infectives and vaccines and encouraging more research of antibiotics.  

Purdy suggests that some of the most important antibiotics we have now and will have in the future are antibiotics that do not need new mechanisms of action but build upon those mechanisms that already exist and are understood in the industry.  

To address the global healthcare challenge of AMR it is imperative for doctors and physicians to administer antibiotics responsibly and only while treating bacterial infections. Educating the public about AMR and its preventive measures, raising awareness about the significance of good hygiene practices, and the importance of timely vaccinations are all essential to overcome the growing threat. 

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

Back to Laboratory

Africa Health 2023 will host the esteemed 11th Nursing Conference at the Gallagher Convention Centre in October. Under the theme "Our Nurses, Our Future: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders," the event will delve into the evolving role of nurses in healthcare delivery, a critical topic for South Africa's health sector. It forms part of a three-day event where healthcare professionals and decision-makers from across Africa gather in Johannesburg.

“Nurses constitute an indispensable cadre of health service providers whose impact on essential health services is irrefutable. Yet, the healthcare system grapples with the challenge of a shortage of nurses.

“In Africa, we’ve acknowledged the need to scale up our education programmes so that more nurses can enter the health system while equally recognising the need for better systemic support for our nurses and more sustainable working conditions. The conference will address these issues, focusing on empowering future generations with the right education, professional development, and leadership training,” says Dr. Bandile Hadebe, spokesperson for the organisers of the event.

Related: Rise of drone delivery service for medical supplies in Africa

The programme will feature key topics such as nursing education, leadership opportunities, nursing advocacy, and the intersection of nursing, healthcare delivery and technological innovations. It will also spotlight the implications of various policies on the future of the nursing profession in South Africa.

Conference Chair, Dr. Sharon Vasuthevan, Education Executive at Life Healthcare Johannesburg, together with other esteemed members of the scientific committee, will guide these discussions, which promise to bring a high level of nuance and insight into contemporary nursing’s most critical issues. Attendees will include Heads of Nursing, Nurse Managers, Nurses, and Nurse Educators.

“Africa Health 2023 is proud to host an event that highlights the role of nurses in shaping the future of healthcare in South Africa. Nurses are pivotal to the healthcare system and are being recognised increasingly for their ability to adapt to technological changes, make complex clinical decisions, and drive the healthcare industry forward,” says Hadebe.

Related: Shared responsibilities pave the way for affordable healthcare in Africa

“This year's Nursing Conference will not only address the need for greater support for nurses in South Africa but will also celebrate the profession's strides in gender inclusivity and its critical role in advancing the healthcare sector.

“The conference will offer a platform to learn about the way forward for nursing education and professional development, identify key policy developments and updates around the nursing profession in South Africa, and gain insights into key opportunities for future nurses and the evolution of the profession,” he adds.

The conference is part of the broader Africa Health 2023 event, running from 17-19 October at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The event aims to bridge the gap in medical knowledge by providing the latest insights into cutting-edge procedures, techniques, and skills.

To register for Africa Health, the region's leading healthcare and laboratory event, click here.

Back to Management

With the ever-changing cell and gene therapy (CGT) market dynamics, it is increasingly complex to forecast and enable decision-making in the field but the markets in which CGT operates have a solid influence.  

In a broader market upon which to spread the development costs, such as oncology, where there is usually a larger patient population, therapies can hit a lower price point. For rare or orphan diseases, it may be harder to spread out costs, not to mention geographic considerations that can make the forecasting model quite complex. Reimbursement and cost are crucial parts of the forecasting process as each vial costs thousands or perhaps millions of dollars. Forecasters need to carefully plan for high revenue volatility and alternative payment structures and develop models reflecting the realities of the market.  

Forecasting CGT is not for the faint-hearted and even the most experienced forecasters can get goosebumps. Forecasters need to consider the macro environment factors that are likely to contribute to the growth of the cell and gene therapy market: merger and acquisitions, expansion of technological advancement, expanding application for cell and gene therapies, growing demand for CAR T-Cell therapies as well as new products approvals and increasing pipeline products. A forecaster might have to use not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of this disease and sector to really carve out the insight and be able to predict the future. It is also important to understand that navigating the CGT market can be a challenging task for forecasters. Unlike other therapeutic areas, forecasting CGT treatments and drugs require a unique approach due to the complexity of the disease. 

Related: Hemophilia gene therapy: Where do we stand?

Since CGT treatments are designed to target a particular patient population depending on the disease, forecasting models should factor in every critical element such as patient identification, duration, and time of therapy for different patients. However, it is not always easy to develop detailed and accurate forecasts in this space, especially when the CGT environment is a rapidly evolving one. Hence, there is a significant need to adopt CGT forecasting best practices for better accuracy, increased reliability, and model robustness. 

So, to predict any aspect of the future of this industry, a forecaster can closely monitor the following areas that can help the forecaster win. These include: 

External indicators and competitive intelligence 

Tracking industry pipelines (both preclinical and clinical), US FDA approvals, R&D spending, and M&A trends to provide modality and technology trend insights that directly shape the disease portfolio. These measures are mostly retrospective, but with cautious extrapolation, they can provide a picture of future trends. This includes the size of the clinical development pipeline, the shape of the pipeline, and transition times in the therapy area the forecaster is developing the model. In the industry, real advances and value often occur at the intersections of new therapeutics targeting new mechanisms of disease, enhancements to known mechanisms, and synergistic combinations of these. 

Identify the right target patient pool 

Forecasting in CGT is different from other therapeutic areas because of the significant need to follow patients through different stages, lines, and treatments as they progress through the disease. As important as this is to do, inaccurate identification of the target patient pool has been a common pitfall in CGT forecasting. Forecasters should split the population into smaller and more specific segments, and accurately model them based on incidence, recurrence, diagnosis, treatment, and other important factors to maximise the accuracy of forecast outputs. 

Understanding dynamic patient flows 

Forecasters must be able to model patients through the different stages of the disease as CGT therapy models have become more complex. They need to assess the advancement of each patient segment, understand how patients move between the lines of therapy, analyse dosing regimens, rates of progression, remission, and discontinuation, patient dependency on old and new drugs or therapies, and more. A holistic understanding of the disease space is the need of the hour. 

Longevity and duration of treatment 

There are no longer relevant to the forecasting process, at least not in the same way. Every time a patient is successfully treated, the prevalent population shrinks and, ultimately, demand is limited to incident patients. As one-time therapies, the duration of treatment is not relevant. But at the same time, patient drop-off throughout the treatment journey is essential to capture in modeling. 

Related: Whole genome sequencing expected to be more prominent in medical solutions

Supply chain, digital and market access 

Referrals to treatment centres and proximity to patients have become highly relevant. CGTs can only be administered at authorised treatment centres, requiring referrals for most patients. Referral rates themselves, the proximity of patients and referring sites to treatment centres all affect treatment volume. Supply chain and manufacturing complexity must be reflected in forecasts that previously assumed “infinite” manufacturing capacity.  

Digital enhancements and foundation elements (for example, telehealth, semi-automated remote monitoring, and eSource-centric clinical trial solutions) assure more precise and efficient care, access, and research; their usage to garner important patient-level data. It is important that RWE is adequately incorporated into the modelling process. 

Maintain peer-to-peer relationships 

It is important to maintain an open dialogue with peers in the industry to constantly learn about their pain points and be active leaders in scientific societies and conferences across drug discovery and development. The interplay with these industry leaders will enable the forecaster to validate their perspectives and assumptions which make the models closer to reality.  

Conclusion 

Once the above is identified the forecaster can now integrate their understanding of the market and deep dive into the following to build robust platforms to enable decision making.  

Over the past few years, we have seen the ability of the industry to remain agile and adapt to new challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient needs are one of the key indicators that have been, currently is, and will remain on top to ensure the future success of the industry.  

While the CGT industry has seen life-changing innovations, there is still a substantial unmet need to address indications and disease areas that have not been successful to date. The future of the industry must remain focused on the ability to meet patient needs with innovative medicines, which will continue to be relative to what the market needs. A forecaster’s role thus becomes extremely critical and non-negotiable to ensure that the organisation wins. After all, an organisation wins if a patient is cured.

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

Back to Management

Africa is experiencing a boom in the drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry, which is growing into a sizeable business. People are starting to understand the various advantages of employing drones for both commercial and non-commercial uses, which has helped this quickly developing industry thrive. 

This trend can be attributed to poor road infrastructure, of which drones are proving to be an efficient way of providing logistical services for the delivery of supplies in rural areas. It might interest one to know that two-thirds of the estimated 287,000 women who died in 2020, did so in sub-Saharan Africa from pregnancy- and childbirth-related illnesses that may have been avoided. Due to the lengthy travel times required by conventional modes of transportation and the terrible state of the roads, the blood could not reach the patient quickly enough.  

In Africa, drones are increasingly utilised to spray larvicide in wetlands to combat malaria by donor organisations, carry blood and vaccines to isolated locations. It is no surprise that this was the motivating factor behind Life Bank located in Nigeria was originally founded to save postpartum haemorrhage mothers from bleeding to death through the timely provision of blood transfusion supplies. The organisation has also taken steps to launch its blood deliveries and sample pickups via drones. 

Related: Shared responsibilities pave the way for affordable healthcare in Africa

Drone delivery in healthcare has the ability to decrease costs, protect supply chain integrity, get around geographic restrictions, and speed up and improve delivery. In nearby Rwanda in Eastern Africa, Zipline supplies blood and medical supplies in 45 minutes to the farthest location within their distribution sphere. This could be a distance that could take as much as four hours to cover depending on the road conditions. 

Similarly in Malawi, Matternet, a Swiss drone logistics company, has partnered with various organisations in Africa to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies. The most prominent of its partnerships remains collaboration with UNICEF to speed up infant HIV testing and diagnosis. 

In Tanzania and Rwanda, Wingcopter seems to have been enhancing their accessibility to remote and inaccessible regions by designing versatile drones capable of vertical takeoff and landing. They have successfully used their drones to deliver medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic samples, strengthening the healthcare systems in these African nations. 

Related: East Africa keenly explores blockchain technology in healthcare

As technology continues to evolve and drone delivery continues to establish the potential to revolutionise healthcare access in Africa, undeniably, there are issues that need to be resolved. Some of the main obstacles to overcome are regulatory frameworks, airspace laws, privacy issues, and public acceptance. For thorough regulations to be created and safe and responsible drone delivery services to be implemented, collaboration between governments, healthcare organisations, and drone manufacturers is essential. 

The exploration of drone delivery services for medical supplies in Africa holds immense promise for improving healthcare access and saving lives. Drone delivery for medical supplies in Africa represents a significant step toward achieving equitable healthcare access and improving the well-being of communities throughout the continent.  

By embracing this innovative solution, Africa would be taking great strides at the forefront of revolutionising healthcare logistics and creating a brighter future for healthcare delivery. 

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

To register for Africa Health, the region's leading healthcare and laboratory event, click here.

Back to Management

Cisco Talos Intelligence Group, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams in the world, released its report for the second quarter of 2023, highlighting the most common attacks, targets, and other significant trends. The findings show how a lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) remains one of the biggest impediments to enterprise security.

Carrying out ransomware attacks is likely becoming more challenging for hackers due to global law enforcement and industry disruption efforts, though it still saw a rise to 17 per cent of engagements. The biggest – and a growing – threat responded to by Talos Incident Response (IR) in Q2, however, was data theft extortion incidents that did not encrypt files or deploy ransomware.

The findings also show that, continuing a trend from the first quarter, healthcare remains the most-targeted vertical, accounting for almost a quarter of all incident response engagements, closely followed by financial services. In a reverse of Q1 trends, web-shells engagement – malicious scripts that enable threat actors to compromise web-based servers exposed to the internet – declined.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Fady Younes, Cybersecurity Director, EMEA Service Providers and MEA, Cisco, said: “People are often the prime target for any cyber-attack, they are the gateway to the central infrastructure of a company or organisation. Fortunately, the vast majority of cyber threats can be overcome with awareness, common sense, and a critical approach to security when moving in cyberspace. We can also stay ahead of the game by leveraging advanced technologies to analyse vast amounts of data in real-time and identify potential threats before they can cause any damage.”

Related: North America sees growing investment in healthcare cybersecurity market

Top threats observed in the second quarter of 2023

Data theft: Data theft extortion was the top observed threat this quarter, accounting for 30 per cent of Cisco Talos Incident Response (Talos IR) engagements this quarter, overtaking web-shells and still ranking above ransomware. The rise in data theft extortion incidents compared to previous quarters is consistent with public reporting on a growing number of ransomware groups stealing data and extorting victims without encrypting files and deploying ransomware.

Ransomware: Ransomware is the second most observed threat for Q2. The Clop ransomware group exploited a major vulnerability in the MOVEit file transfer software. This has led to many follow-on instances of data theft, with more than 200 companies affected as of early July.

Exploiting public-facing applications: Exploitation of public-facing applications has seen a significant decrease – down to 22 per cent (from 45 per cent last quarter) of engagements.

Related: Strategies to protect Saudi Arabia healthcare from cyberattacks

Additional observations

• The report showed that 30 per cent of engagements lacked multi-factor authentication or only had it enabled on select accounts and services.
• Observed in over 50 per cent of engagements this quarter, PowerShell is a dynamic command line utility that continues to be a popular utility of choice for adversaries.

For more details on Cisco Talos' Q2 2023 findings, click here.

Access the must-read eBook on AI here to discover perspectives on its transformative role in the healthcare industry.

Back to Technology

The recent cyberattack in the US highlighted the vulnerability of hospitals to the growing threat of cybercriminals. Facilities in several states, operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, were involved in the data security incident in which hackers disrupted hospital computer systems. Emergency rooms were forced to close, and ambulances had to be diverted while security experts worked to resolve the issue.

Healthcare organisations globally are now a prime target for cyberattacks and facilities in Saudi Arabia (KSA) are not immune. The weakest link in any computer system is the user and when hospital data becomes compromised, the stakes are high, providing cybercriminals with opportunities to exploit. Identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing cybersecurity strategies is crucial to mitigating these risks. Investments in IT infrastructure, skill development, and enhanced regulatory frameworks are essential for safeguarding the resilience and security of KSA’s healthcare systems.

Related: Strengthening cybersecurity and data privacy in healthcare

While KSA has seen impressive development in line with Vision 2030, as healthcare becomes more digitised and interconnected, the potential for cyberattacks inevitably grows. Cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive patient information and ensure the seamless delivery of critical medical services has never been higher.

The frequency and severity of cyberattacks on organisations are alarming. Between mid-2021 and mid-2022, KSA and the UAE experienced the highest number of ransomware attacks among GCC nations, as reported by cybersecurity company Group-IB. Group-IB's CEO, Dmitry Volkov, highlighted ransomware as a significant threat for 2023, with rising ransom demands.

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, in 2023, data breaches cost organisations an average of US$4.45 million, a 15 per cent increase in three years. With 51 per cent of companies planning increased security investments post-breach, including incident response, employee training, and threat detection tools, the urgency to strengthen cybersecurity measures in healthcare is evident.

A report by a leading cybersecurity company, Proofpoint Inc., revealed the majority of top hospitals in the UAE and KSA are lagging behind on basic cybersecurity measures. The findings were based on a Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) analysis. DMARC enhances email communication security with three protection levels — monitor, quarantine and reject. The analysis revealed only 28 per cent of UAE and KSA hospitals have implemented ‘reject’ — the strictest level of protection, which means many users are not protected from potential e-mail fraud.

Emile Abou Saleh, Regional Director, Middle East and Africa for Proofpoint, said: “The healthcare industry is rapidly becoming a target for cybercriminals due to the sensitive patient data these institutions hold. From an attacker’s perspective, healthcare organisations are high-value targets for ransomware attacks as they would have great motivation to pay up to restore systems quickly.”

He added: “A broader security strategy will be crucial to secure the future of the healthcare sector in the UAE and KSA, which has been identified as a priority under the respective national agendas of both countries. The healthcare industry must pursue a security strategy focusing on people because threats will continue to convince victims to click malicious links, download unsafe files, install malware, and disclose sensitive information. Their security strategy will have to adapt to new business models to protect health information wherever it is stored – whether within the hospital or beyond.” (source)

Common cyber threats include data breaches, ransomware and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks which overwhelm a network so it can no longer operate. In ransomware attacks, hackers infect files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. When these attacks hit hospitals, internet-based tools critical to patient care, patient health records, imaging and lab results, and communication links with other departments or hospitals are cut-off, leading to major financial and reputational damage.

Sophisticated attacks demonstrate the need for stringent cybersecurity measures in healthcare. Key vulnerabilities in the healthcare systems of GCC countries could range from insufficient IT infrastructure to data management practices. Relying heavily on third-party vendors for healthcare technology could also introduce security risks if providers do not have stringent cybersecurity protocols. A lack of comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans can impact the healthcare system's ability to quickly respond to an attack.

Related: Why data governance in healthcare is essential to improve quality of care

Healthcare institutions in KSA should be implementing cybersecurity strategies to shield against these threats. Establishing a security culture is also vital in raising awareness and protecting healthcare organisations. Security practices must be built in alongside regular employee training, best practices implemented with support from cybersecurity experts, and the use of multi-factor authentication, firewalls, encryption, backups and incident response plans are imperative.

Collaboration among stakeholders including KSA’s healthcare institutions, IT experts, and cybersecurity firms is needed which requires knowledge sharing on vulnerabilities, customised tech solutions, and risk assessments. Continuous monitoring, cutting-edge technology integration, and regulatory compliance will ensure greater protection. The key is to always plan for the unexpected with drills and develop advanced strategies through joint innovation and research efforts. Together, these endeavours can create a resilient defence, safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s critical healthcare systems and patient data against the growing threat of cyberattacks.

To learn more about the latest developments in Saudi Arabia's healthcare industry, attend the Global Health Exhibition taking place from 29-31 October at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). Click here to know more.

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The US government and healthcare regulators have been encouraging healthcare organisations to adopt electronic health records software since 2009. Though many care providers praise EHRs for their multiple benefits, others, especially small and medium-sized practices, are hesitant to join the trend due to the difficulties the implementation poses. To successfully implement an EHR system, providers must first of all clearly understand which obstacles are holding them back and how to get around them.

Cost of EHR implementation

Many healthcare practitioners consider EHR implementation too expensive for their budgets. The ONC estimated that upfront costs for an EHR licence are between US$15,000 and US$70,000. Some providers opt for SaaS solutions that cost cheaper upfront but have a higher yearly price. However, this type of EHR comes with its hidden costs — it is more difficult to implement, personnel training takes longer, and customisation is comparably expensive.

We advise healthcare practitioners who are on the fence about implementing electronic health records to decide which features are the most important and nice to have and start with a more basic version of EHR software. If the budget is tight, a healthcare organisation can always go for a virtually free SaaS EHR with a limited feature set that is monetised via advertisements shown to doctors and patients.

However, many of the cheaper or open-source systems are not properly certified, so you will not be able to meet the Meaningful Use criteria and thus qualify for reimbursement. Therefore, sometimes it is more economically viable to go for a more expensive certified solution. All in all, carefully research and consider your options before embarking on an implementation journey, because most providers get ROI on their EHR in two to three years after the adoption.

Related: Top 3 electronic health record implementation risks and how to manage them

Burnout among healthcare professionals

Definitive Healthcare and Vocera found out that 77 per cent of healthcare professionals heavily associate daily EHR-related tasks with burnout. The reason is the cognitive overload of filling out multiple forms while paying attention to alerts of varied priority and conversing with patients and colleagues. That is why physician-owned healthcare organisations put off adopting software out of fear it will reduce their personnel’s job satisfaction.

To avoid such negative effects, hospitals need to consider EHR usability during the software selection phase. A majority of clinicians agree that intuitive interfaces, fewer pop-up windows, and more intelligent alert routing would drastically improve their satisfaction with the system. Another valuable EHR implementation step that should never be skipped is user training. Research shows that clinicians who received sufficient EHR training are generally more satisfied and less likely to burn out than their untrained colleagues.

Data governance of EHR

Electronic health records can be a valuable source of data for healthcare analytics. If processed correctly, patient information stored in such systems can help improve the efficiency of the healthcare industry. But if leaked, such data can damage lives, reputations, and the well-being of millions of people. Thus, one of the main tasks of an EHR system is to make sure patient data stays safe, secure, relevant, and accessible for proper processing.

However, the qualities of the software itself alone are not enough to ensure proper data management. Any healthcare organisation should have a solid data governance strategy that covers all aspects of patient data handling, including how it is acquired, stored, transferred, and disposed of in the EHR system. Personnel who work with patient data in any capacity should also understand their organisation’s strategy and have sufficient information and training to follow it.

Related: MEA marks advances in electronic health record systems

Early-stage interoperability

The EHR interoperability issue gained the spotlight during the pandemic when doctors simply did not have time to transfer data from one system to another manually, but it continues to be a headache for many healthcare organisations. Manual data transfer contributes to errors, duplicates, and clinicians’ dissatisfaction. It is also one of the reasons for untimely or inappropriate clinical decisions regarding patients transferred from one facility to another, as clinicians do not receive timely patient history due to the inability to transfer it from one EHR to another.

This problem makes healthcare professionals question why they should adopt EHR software at all if it does not help them streamline interactions between various providers or even departments. This is why hospitals should consider interoperability during the earliest stages of EHR implementation and enquire about the interoperability options of the software they are planning to adopt.

Additionally, healthcare organisations can hire a consultant and integration services provider to ensure their software is well-incorporated into the healthcare IT ecosystem and can exchange data safely and quickly.

In conclusion, electronic health records software can help healthcare providers get competitive advantages and serve their patients better. Unfortunately, implementing EHRs comes with a set of challenges that turn many healthcare organisations away from adopting a system. Some providers find the software too expensive, others worry about security, and many hospitals do not want to put additional pressure on their personnel.

To successfully implement an EHR, a provider should clearly understand their requirements for the system and partner with a reliable and experienced vendor that will guide them.

Sergey Ivanov is the Head of Healthcare Solutions Department at iTransition.

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

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Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of medicine is a constant challenge for healthcare professionals, and staying abreast of the latest trends and patterns in healthcare is crucial to effectively and accurately treating patients. Throughout my career as a physician, one thing has remained constant: the prevalence of common misconceptions surrounding cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Gulf.

Despite being the world's number one killer, CVD remains a silent assailant, often concealing its presence until it is too late. It encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels through the accumulation of cholesterol, fat, and other substances that cause plaque within the arteries, compromising blood flow to vital organs. If an artery becomes completely blocked or if a blood clot forms, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke, causing irreversible damage or even death.

While the exact causes of CVD can vary, risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle significantly contribute to its development. Regular cholesterol testing is crucial in managing the rising prevalence of CVD. By understanding the risk factors, such as low, moderate, high, or very high, and setting specific targets for LDL cholesterol levels (e.g., below 116mg/dL for low risk, below 100mg/dL for moderate risk, below 70mg/dL for high risk, and below 55mg/dL for very high risk), people can make informed decisions and take proactive, preventive measures.

Related: Wearable medical devices for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases gain traction

Public health campaigns and educational initiatives can play a vital role in dispelling these misconceptions and provide accurate information about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of CVD. On the other hand, patients who have already been diagnosed with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) require tailored care and intervention.

However, what we see in the healthcare space is numerous persistent misconceptions about CVD that foster a false sense of security among both the public and potential patients that deter them from taking necessary precautions or seeking appropriate medical care. In the Gulf, where CVD is responsible for 40 per cent of deaths and its risk factors like dyslipidaemia impact over 70 per cent of Emirati adults, this trend is particularly detrimental.

Unless effective intervention is implemented, the projected global annual deaths from cardiovascular disease are expected to increase from 17.5 million in 2012 to 22.2 million by the year 2030. Hence, the significance of illuminating the truth relating to cardiovascular disease and the importance of debunking misconceptions. This endeavour holds the key to equipping both patients and the public with valuable insights, fostering a shared awareness that has the potential to catalyse a unified drive towards better heart health.

Related: Can technology reduce the heart disease burden?

Debunking myths around cardiovascular disease

Some of the key misconceptions surrounding cardiovascular disease include:

Heart disease only affects older individuals

One prevalent misconception is that heart disease primarily affects the elderly population. However, studies show that the average age of patients with a heart attack in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is 10 years younger than in Western countries.

Heart disease primarily affects men, and women are not at significant risk

While cardiovascular disease affects twice as many men as it does women in the Gulf region, heart disease remains a leading cause of death for women globally. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of approximately one in three women each year. Moreover, research conducted in the UAE has revealed an alarming prevalence of risk factors among women.

Cholesterol is good for your health

While it is true that not all cholesterol is bad, it is very important to understand how to manage your cholesterol levels – and more specifically, your LDL-C or "bad" cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the MENA region. In fact, one study found that 72.3 per cent of adults living in the northern Emirates showed levels of high cholesterol, while 38.6 per cent of them showed elevated levels of LDC-C cholesterol.

Heart disease is primarily caused by genetics and cannot be influenced by lifestyle choices

While certain genetic factors can predispose individuals to heart disease, lifestyle choices play a significant role in its development and progression. According to Harvard Health, nearly half of all premature deaths may be due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as insufficient exercise, poor diet, and smoking.

A healthy diet is the only way to treat or prevent CVD

While a healthy diet is an important part of heart health, it is not the only way to treat or prevent CVD. Other important lifestyle changes include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. In some cases, medications may also be necessary to help control risk factors for CVD.

If your LDL or "bad cholesterol" is low, you can stop treatment

Even if your LDL cholesterol is low, you may still be at risk for CVD if you have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. It is important to talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and whether you need to continue treatment even if your LDL cholesterol is low.

By dispelling misconceptions and highlighting the realities of cardiovascular disease and heart health in the Gulf region, we can foster a more accurate understanding of the risks, the need for early intervention, and the importance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

As a physician, I stress the importance of regular check-ups with healthcare professionals to identify and manage risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as elevated LDL-C levels, high blood pressure, and elevated glucose levels. Initiatives like the recently launched Unblocked campaign play a crucial role in challenging misconceptions, raising public awareness, and educating individuals about the silent killer, LDL-C, and the importance of screening.

Dr. Farhana Bin Lootah is an Emirati physician with expertise in Endocrinology, Lipidology and Diabetes at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), AUH.

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